7 reasons why The Elixir on Netflix broke the conventions of classic zombie movies

Netflix's The Elixir is a unique zombie film. It combines horror with strong emotions, family, and a solid cultural foundation. In the small village in Indonesia, local herbal medicine and folklore are used to develop the story's tension. The zombies are speedy and fearful, yet the true terror lies in shattered relationships and making difficult decisions.

The film shows how greed and a desire for youth may lead to calamity. The Elixir defies numerous conventions of the old zombies with its graphics and personal location. It is daring, touching, and unexpected in its surprises. This article will discuss seven reasons why The Elixir on Netflix broke the conventions of classic zombie movies.

Also know: Details from Netflix's The Elixr.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Readers’ discretion is advised.

Here are 7 reasons why The Elixir on Netflix broke the conventions of classic zombie movies:

7. Local folklore & herbalism

Folklore & herbalism in The Elixr | Image via Netflix

The Elixr on Netflix draws on local Indonesian folklore and herbal medicine in its storyline. It is a narrative of a small village that boasts a healthy lifestyle through jamu, a form of herbal treatment. The family behind the film owns a company specializing in traditional medicine that aims to combine ancient experience with new aspirations. When the father attempts to concoct a magical elixir using plants and recipes from these traditions, the disaster begins.

Local beliefs and rituals abound within the film, and villagers trust in the power of their herbs for protection. Yet, the search for eternal youth leads to the zombie outbreak, linking ancient traditions directly to modern horror. This creative approach to folklore makes the story feel both magical and tangible, as the audience is afforded insight into Indonesian ways of thinking about health, family, and danger. The film expresses a strong respect for these cultural foundations by revealing how even trusted acts can have unforeseen consequences.

6. Emotional & psychological fear

Psychological fear in The Elixr | Image via Netflix

The characters in The Elixir experience emotional and psychological anxiety, as do the zombies. The relatives attempt to stay alive as a family, and old wounds, deceit, and misery haunt them along the way. They are all grappling to overcome personal loss, guilt, and fear of their future. This puts everyone in a position where they must make difficult choices, such as risking their life to save others or even saying farewell to loved ones.

The atmosphere intensifies in the house, and individuals begin to become infected and lose control. Real distress and panic unfold onscreen, making viewers feel the agony these characters will endure. It shows what bravery and forgiveness look like in the face of so much terror. As a result, emotional anxiety intensifies the horror since it makes you care about the people and their fate. The Elixir takes physical danger and mental tension and transforms them into a compelling experience for the audience.

5. Visually intense effects

Moment from The Elixir | Image via Netflix

The Elixir presents zombies in extremely graphic, shocking forms that exceed expectations. The special effects group created convincing scenes of torture using prosthetics, makeup, and computer magic. As Sadimin takes the potion and spins around, the audience can see every aspect of his transformation, both healthy and monstrous. Later, numerous zombies attack the village in blood-soaked scenes filled with torn flesh and chaos.

The film uses images to evoke a sense of danger and dread rather than concealing the violence. The effects are strong and become central to the movie, helping build suspense and horror. The Elixir resorts to these visuals to shock and intimidate viewers, which is the boundary of Netflix's zombie films, and makes the attacks unforgettable.

4. Fast & relentless zombies

People running out of fear from Zombies | Image via Netflix

The zombies in The Elixir move, leap, and strive to keep up with the living, devouring them with fierce fury and an insatiable appetite. Compared to previous zombie movies, where the zombies were sluggish, this scene is different. An individual's rage explodes the instant they turn into a zombie, and they strike without hesitation. Characters need to run fast and fight to survive and not become victims.

The Elixir resorts to this nonstop threat to maintain tension, allowing little time to rest or feel safe. The fast zombies are as physically strong as the chaos caused in the village in minutes. The characters must be quick and clever at every intersection to have a chance to save their lives, which heightens the film's sense of adventure and terror. It is fast and persistent, which distinguishes The Elixir among other stories, rendering it interesting and unbelievably new in this genre.

3. Origin of the outbreak

Scene from The Elixir | Image via Netflix

The Elixir begins with Sadimin experimenting with a herbal potion called Abadi Nan Jaya. He plans to continue preventing his family firm from going bankrupt and to look for a remedy for aging. It appears to be a miracle at first. Sadimin's hair is black again. His skin is smooth. He feels young and strong. But something terrible happens next. His body starts to change in scary ways. His eyes turn pale. His skin gets strange bumps. The drink does not heal him. It turns Sadimin into the first zombie.

He attacks people and infects them, and the outbreak worsens as people either drink the potion or get bitten. Unlike other zombie movies, this one never mentions the virus from those science labs. Instead, it discusses how Sadimin's aspirations for youth and financial gain failed. The Elixir warns against greed, fake cures, and not respecting nature.

2. Family-driven story

The Elixr is a family-driven story | Image via Netflix

A broken family attempting to survive is the central theme of The Elixir. Sadimin, the father, is the owner of a herbal medicine company, but his work and judgments have caused his children pain. Kenes, his daughter, pays him a visit with her family, hoping to mend her broken relationship with her husband, Rudi. The house is tense, as Kenes and Karina, whose father is a younger man, are best friends. The past hurts them and causes them to lack trust in each other.

As the zombie outbreak begins, the entire family is forced to put aside their disagreements and frustrations to survive. Even when scared, people cry, fight, and come to their rescue. Kenes and Karina work together to keep Raihan, Kenes's son, safe. When Kenes is bitten, she must say goodbye to her son and entrust his destiny to Karina. Her sacrifice is full of love, regret, and hope. The film explores how families may evolve and forgive even during difficult times.

1. Indonesian cultural setting

Indonesian backdrop in The Elixr | Image via Netflix

Elixir builds its own world by focusing on the Indonesian cultural traditions. It is set in a small village near Yogyakarta, which has many historic and traditional values. The film focuses on the natural medicine known as jamu, which Indonesians utilize to treat and heal. Characters describe local belief systems and superstitions to demonstrate how village life shapes their concerns and behaviors.

The village feels real with scenes of celebrations and family gatherings. When the plague ends, the streets are filled with fervent prayers and desperate hopes. The rural setting makes everything feel more personal and intimate, since the film is not set in a large city, as is common in zombie movies. Elixir uses Indonesian music, arts, and old stories. This helps viewers understand what is essential to the people and why they fight so hard to save each other.